Endotracheal tube

Abstract

An endotracheal tube (10) having an incomplete posterior bevel (50) extending toward, but not completely through, the anterior wall (36) and a curved lip (54) projecting from the anterior wall (36).

Having described the invention, what is claimed is: 
     
       1. An endotracheal tube comprising a tubular member extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular member having first wall aspect and a second, oppositely disposed wall aspect along its length to define an airway lumen therebetween for flow of gas between the proximal end and an opening at the distal end, the tubular member having a generally pre-defined curvature, the distal end having an incomplete bevel extending from the first wall aspect toward but not completely through the second wall aspect of the tubular member to define a plane extending through the first wall aspect but not completely through the second wall aspect, the distal end further having a lip projecting beyond the plane defined by the incomplete bevel from the second wall aspect of the tubular member and curving inwardly toward the first wall aspect. 
     
     
       2. The endotracheal tube of claim 1 wherein the distal end has a longitudinal midline axis spaced a distance D from the second wall aspect, the lip extending to a free edge a distance less than D whereby not to occlude the opening at the distal end. 
     
     
       3. The endotracheal tube of claim 1 wherein the lip tapers to a free edge. 
     
     
       4. The endotracheal tube of claim 1 wherein the lip has an outer surface, the tube further comprising a fin extending along the lip outer surface. 
     
     
       5. The endotracheal tube of claim 1, the lip including a portion being offset outwardly of the second wall aspect. 
     
     
       6. The endotracheal tube of claim 1 wherein the incomplete bevel terminates at an inner surface of the second wall aspect. 
     
     
       7. The endotracheal tube of claim 1 further comprising a Murphy eye extending through the tubular member and positioned just above and lateral to the incomplete bevel. 
     
     
       8. The endotracheal tube of claim 1 further comprising a pair of Murphy eyes extending through the tubular member in confronting relationship and positioned just above and lateral to the incomplete bevel. 
     
     
       9. The endotracheal tube of claim 1 further comprising an inflation cuff associated with the tubular member. 
     
     
       10. The endotracheal tube of claim 1, the lip being semi-flexible. 
     
     
       11. An endotracheal tube comprising a tubular member extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular member having a first wall aspect and a second, oppositely disposed wall aspect along its length to define an airway lumen therebetween for flow of gas between the proximal end and a single, effectively unobstructed opening at and across the distal end, the tubular member having a generally pre-defined curvature and the distal end having a lip projecting from the second wall aspect beyond the opening and curving inwardly toward the first wall aspect. 
     
     
       12. The endotracheal tube of claim 11 wherein the distal end has a midline axis spaced a distance D from an inner surface of the tubular member, the lip extending to a free edge a distance less than D whereby not to occlude the opening at the distal end. 
     
     
       13. The endotracheal tube of claim 11 wherein the lip tapers to a free edge. 
     
     
       14. The endotracheal tube of claim 11 wherein the lip has an outer surface, the tube further comprising a fin extending along the lip outer surface. 
     
     
       15. The endotracheal tube of claim 11, the lip including a portion being offset outwardly from the midline axis. 
     
     
       16. The endotracheal tube of claim 11 further comprising a Murphy eye extending through the tubular member and positioned just above the opening. 
     
     
       17. The endotracheal tube of claim 11 further comprising an inflation cuff associated with the tubular member. 
     
     
       18. The endotracheal tube of claim 11, the lip being semi-flexible. 
     
     
       19. A method of forming a generally arcuate endotracheal tube having a proximal end and a distal end with a single opening thereat, and including first and second opposite wall aspects thereof at the distal end, the method comprising: forming an incomplete bevel across the opening at the distal end, the bevel extending from the first wall aspect to but not completely through the second wall aspect; and   defining a lip projecting from the second wall aspect beyond the incomplete bevel and curving inwardly toward the first wall aspect.   
     
     
       20. The method of claim 19, further comprising offsetting a portion of the lip outwardly of the second wall aspect. 
     
     
       21. The method of claim 19 further comprising tapering the lip to a free edge. 
     
     
       22. The method of claim 19 further comprising defining a fin on the lip. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim 19 further comprising forming a Murphy eye through the tube just above the opening and lateral to the incomplete bevel. 
     
     
       24. The method of claim 19 further comprising forming a pair of confronting Murphy eyes through the tube just above the opening and lateral to the incomplete betel. 
     
     
       25. A method of forming a generally arcuate endotracheal tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the method comprising: providing an effectively unobstructed, single opening at the distal end; and   defining a lip projecting from the distal end beyond the opening and curving inwardly toward the opening.   
     
     
       26. The method of claim 25 wherein the distal end has a longitudinal midline axis, the method further comprising curving the lip toward the midline axis. 
     
     
       27. The method of claim 26 further comprising offsetting a portion of the lip outwardly from the midline axis. 
     
     
       28. The method of claim 25 further comprising tapering the lip to a free edge. 
     
     
       29. The method of claim 25 further comprising defining a fin on the lip. 
     
     
       30. The method of claim 25 further comprising forming a Murphy eye through the tube just above the opening.